Getting Started

[Nazo365]

I apologize in advance if this was covered already, but after spending a few hours looking over most (not all) topics I couldn't find one to answer my question so I figured I'd just post it.

 

I'm new to modding and would like some helpful advise on what I would need to do something as simple as Re-Texturing armor to something as advance as Implementing my own 3d design into Skyrim. I've used 3Ds max to create Matte Paintings and have extensive knowledge with it but I lack the know-how when it comes to taking something that already exists and making it to so I can View / Edit it. I'd also like to get a general Polly count for generic weapons since 90% of most Models get a lot of there additional texture detail through bump-maps I'd like a solid rounded number to start with so I have a good idea just how intricate I can take my models.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

P.S. I was connect on just waiting for the CK, but My inspiration is at a I need to do something now! kind of feeling even if its small like re-texturing armor thats been re-textured a million times already lol.

[CampanaAliquanta]

A collection of links and tutorials to get you started:

http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/471428-modding-faq-how-to

[ghosu]

Hello

 

Well, i'm pretty new to this stuff as well but i guess i can help out with a few hints.

 

Texturing:

 

First of all you need to extract the texture files from the skyrim game data. You'll need a tool called "Fallout 3 Archive Utility".

With this tool you can open the .bsa files in your Skyrim/Data folder and extract the .dds files.

There are several bsa files, one for textures, one for 3D models and so on.

 

Once extracted you just have to open the texture you want to edit. If you've got Photoshop you can open and edit them. I guess Gimp works as well.

There are several maps for each modell, the standard head for example:

 

http://f.666kb.com/i/bzeurxeyczkdq9ped.jpg

 

You can use google to get some plugins or tools to create all those maps from your new texture, atm i'm just doing weapons so i only use a nvidia normal map plugin for Photoshop. I have to figure out how to create the correct maps for bodies atm, there is a nice thread 'bout those maps somewhere on the first pages.

 

The way i texture modells:

I extract the 3D models and textures with FO3 Archive Utility, meshs are .nif so i convert them to .obj using Nifskope (there are several threads around here with all needed plugins and xml files). I import the .obj file to Mudbox and transfer the project from a photo onto the model or draw them myself.

 

http://f.666kb.com/i/bz5jrm10fcfm4qbvp.png

 

http://f.666kb.com/i/bzey5eo3hej2enmc5.jpg

 

Then i save this texture, create all needed maps and afterwards i save them in the Skyrim folder. You have to use the same folder-tree for each file as it is shown in the bsa file when using FO3 Archive Utility. For example:

 

Khajiit/female/head=

x:\Skyrim\Data\Textures\actors\character\khajiitfemale\femalehead.dds

 

Same with all the other maps (filenames are listed in the human head image above).

If you want to reset the changed textures you just have to delete those files.

 

I picked out a few numbers for you, Dragonscale armor, tris:

 

Helmet: 1140

Body: 4942

Gloves: 2520

Boots: 984

Daedric sword: 984

 

So this is the way i do it, not perfect of course - i'm new to this stuff as well and have much to learn.

But i try to help ;)

 

greetings

[Nazo365]

Ironically, I found your post on all the tutorials right after I posted my question >.<... sigh. Any-who this is exactly what I'm looking for so tyvm. I'll probably spend the next 3 hours or so studying these and then get to work on some of my own =), and again thank you for the quick response.

[ghosu]

Jeah, this would be the easy way then :D